[dubkarma]

A question for those of you who use the BDP-3 streamer.

Mine has always worked well using the SPDIF and AES outputs.

Recently, I thought to compare the performance of these "classic" digital interfaces with that of the BDP-3's USB outputs.
I also have the option of running the USB output into a digital-to-digital converter and from that to the DAC.

However. . .

When I connect the BDP-3 via a USB output (I've tried all of them) to the USB input on my Crane Song DAC, all I get is silence.

Would appreciate feedback from any users who might know or suspect what am I missing, misunderstanding, or doing wrong.

TIA, Joel.

[WRWSTD]

Seems to me that the USB output of the BDP-3 to your DDC and/or DAC has not been enabled. Go to the Dashboard and select Audio Devices. Find your DAC or DDC in the listing and click on the "enable" button. It should work fine from this point forward. Also you may want to try a different USB cable if indeed the output is enabled and there is still no output. I have had this experience. Hope this helps.

[R. Daneel]

A question for those of you who use the BDP-3 streamer.

Mine has always worked well using the SPDIF and AES outputs.

Recently, I thought to compare the performance of these "classic" digital interfaces with that of the BDP-3's USB outputs.
I also have the option of running the USB output into a digital-to-digital converter and from that to the DAC.

However. . .

When I connect the BDP-3 via a USB output (I've tried all of them) to the USB input on my Crane Song DAC, all I get is silence.

Would appreciate feedback from any users who might know or suspect what am I missing, misunderstanding, or doing wrong.

TIA, Joel.

Hi!

Because S/PDIF and AES/EBU are established standards, the devices operate as intended. However, USB connection depends on software i.e. the USB driver that is required by your DAC's USB input. These may or may not be Class 2.0 compliant and if they are not, it can cause issues while trying to connect two devices, especially a closed system like the BDP-3 or other streamers with USB output.

Do the following:
1. power your BDP-3 and Crane Song DAC OFF.
2. connect the two using a USB cable.
3. turn your Crane Song DAC ON and make sure the USB input is selected.
4. turn your BDP-3 ON and wait for it to initialise. At this point, the DAC will have already been turned on and so, the BDP will detect it upon initialisation and install what it sees as an appropriate driver. Once the BDP is fully powered on, see if it works.

One of the good things about using a DAC from a small company is that it will almost certainly use a Class 2.0 compliant driver and for one simple reason - it usually works and small companies rarely have the resources to develop a proprietary system.

Howver, if it doesn't work, it's likely that Crane Song did some modifications to the standard driver in which case it will be difficult to connect the two devices together.

All of that being said, I think you'd be hard-pressed to hear any difference between the different inputs. The AES/EBU should be superior, at least in theory, but it's doubtful you'd be able to distinguish between the inputs in a controlled blind test.

Let me know if it helped or not.
Cheers - Antun

[vonnie123]

I have the BDP-2.  My experience has been once the USB connection is established, the SPDIF no longer connects.

I found the AES/EBU SPDIF connections worked best for me.

[CDinsmore]

I'm having the same issue. I have a SonicTransport i7 to my BDP-3 to a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC MkI. I've always used the AES/EBU connection, but in the past have also used the USB connection for short periods. I went to use the USB recently and no sound. 

I went to the Dashboard and looked under Audio Devices as suggested by WRWSTD and do not see the Direct Stream DAC listed. I only see the BUC board. Not sure if the DAC ever was shown here as I never had to look before. I also followed the instructions posted by Antun, but that did not fix things.

Is there anything else I'm missing?

[WRWSTD]

Sometimes when there needs to be a power cycle of the BDP-3 and the DAC, it is best to switch the units off in the normal manner using their power switch. Then, unplug the equipment from the mains. Wait a couple of "long" minutes. Plug the equipment back in and power everything up as per how R. Daneel has suggested. Wait another couple of "long" minutes.  Then, double-check the Audio Devices located in the BDP-3 Dashboard to see that all the wanted devices are listed. Enable the desired device. Disable any that are not needed only after the desired one is enabled.

[CDinsmore]

I turned both the BDP-3 and Direct Stream DAC off and unplugged them for 2 hours. When I turned both units back on the Direct Stream DAC is now showing on the BDP Dashboard as 'PS Audio USB Audio 2.0 - USB Audio'. However, this selection is highlighted in red and when I select it and hit Enable I still get no sound through USB.  See attached screen shot of Dashboard.

[WRWSTD]

I have experienced this before. It has been a very long while. But, I seem to remember hitting the restart button and waiting the 2 minutes it takes to reboot. Then I had to re-establish the browser link with the BDP-3. I opened the Dashboard-Audio devices and re-selected and enabled the desired device and then hit apply. (I hope I got the procedure in the correct order).  I also checked to see if the BDP-3 was still talking to my NAS. (That connection was fine).  It all seemed to work from that point forward. Kind of a unique case. See if this procedure works for you. Please let us know what you find.

[CDinsmore]

First of all, I really appreciate everyone who took the time and offered their input on this. It was all very helpful.

The first time I restarted the BDP and DAC I ended up doing them at the same exact time. I ended up trying a second time, but did them each separately. I also unplugged each one from the wall and let them sit idle for a couple hours. Then I powered up the DAC first, let it settle in, and then I powered up the BDP. This time it worked, i.e. DAC not highlighted in read and USB working fine.